Thursday, May 19, 2011
For the third consecutive year, Presbyterian Sports Medicine will provide pre-participation sports physicals to Union County student-athletes free of charge. The service is available to all Union County Public Schools high school students, including rising ninth graders. Physicals will be offered at Sun Valley High School in Monroe on Saturday, June 4 beginning at 8 a.m. and ending mid-afternoon; each school is assigned a specific block of time.
“In 2009, we made the commitment to provide this service to Union County Public School student-athletes to ensure that no one is excluded from participating in sports due to the cost of the examination,” said Regina Hartung, service line director.
A standard sports physical includes an overview of general health and family history, blood pressure and heart rate checks, vision testing and height and weight measurements. This year, Presbyterian will also perform electrocardiograms (EKGs) on each student-athlete; the tests will be read by pediatric cardiologists.
In 2010, Presbyterian Sports Medicine became the official healthcare provider for Union County Public Schools; by fall 2012, it will have 10 certified athletic trainers across the county’s high schools. Trainers are able to offer various treatments on-site throughout the school week, and student-athletes also have convenient access to physicians, physical therapists and advanced imaging services. Presbyterian also provides game-day medical coverage, CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training for first responders and assistance with emergency preparedness plans at the district and school level. Experts offer sports injury seminars and clinics to coaches and parents as well as nutrition education and other in-services, including concussion management, H1N1 flu, MRSA (a bacterial skin infection) and overall wellness programs.
